I have been using Novolog Pens for about a year now, and recently have had several problems with their quality. My pharmacist is telling me that most diabetics use Humalog (and Novolog use is rare). Has anyone else had problems or switched from Novolog to Humalog? Are there Novolog users out there?
Thanks....

Hi,
I switched from Humalog to Novolog in my pump a coupla years ago and am *delighted* with the results. Novolog seems to be more predictable and is more stable for the 3-4 days it's in my pump.

Can you work with your doctor to try a different pen?

The novolog pen holds 300 units, right? I tried a Novolog Jr pen a while back (thinking I might like it instead of syringes for my low-tech backup) which holds fewer units and allows 1/2 unit increments.

My pump also holds 300 units and because I use <24 units a day, I figured out that the insulin in the "second half" of each 300 unit cartridge had gotten shaken up, exposed to temp variations, and other potency-degrading "insults" - and my BGs tended to be higher during that second 1/2. If the cartridges are plastic, this process is even more likely to occur since I'm told insulin molecules "stick" to plastic more than glass & can begin to interfere with delivery also.

If, as a type 1, your total daily dosage (TDD) is modest then do talk to your endo about using a smaller cartridge/pen. I'm not a physician, but a long-time DMer who has listened to & read a lot from others. As was already pointed out, it's more common to hear from folks who go from Humalog to Novolog than the other way.

Hi,
I switched from Humalog to Novolog in my pump a coupla years ago and am *delighted* with the results. Novolog seems to be more predictable and is more stable for the 3-4 days it's in my pump.

Can you work with your doctor to try a different pen?

The novolog pen holds 300 units, right? I tried a Novolog Jr pen a while back (thinking I might like it instead of syringes for my low-tech backup) which holds fewer units and allows 1/2 unit increments.

My pump also holds 300 units and because I use <24 units a day, I figured out that the insulin in the "second half" of each 300 unit cartridge had gotten shaken up, exposed to temp variations, and other potency-degrading "insults" - and my BGs tended to be higher during that second 1/2. If the cartridges are plastic, this process is even more likely to occur since I'm told insulin molecules "stick" to plastic more than glass & can begin to interfere with delivery also.

If, as a type 1, your total daily dosage (TDD) is modest then do talk to your endo about using a smaller cartridge/pen. I'm not a physician, but a long-time DMer who has listened to & read a lot from others. As was already pointed out, it's more common to hear from folks who go from Humalog to Novolog than the other way.

I find your complaint is surprising. I have just switched from Humalog to Novolog. The main reason was so that I could use the Innovo pen, which works very well. The Novopen is also of of a higher quality than the Humalog pens.

The other advantage of Novolog is that it starts working more quickly. I don't get the same post-meal spikes that I used to get with Humalog.

Maybe you just need a new pen. You should be able to get one free from your CDE. I replace my pens every year as a matter of course.

I find your complaint is surprising. I have just switched from Humalog to Novolog. The main reason was so that I could use the Innovo pen, which works very well. The Novopen is also of of a higher quality than the Humalog pens.

The other advantage of Novolog is that it starts working more quickly. I don't get the same post-meal spikes that I used to get with Humalog.

Maybe you just need a new pen. You should be able to get one free from your CDE. I replace my pens every year as a matter of course.

I use Novolog and have been using it for several years. My doctor actually switched me from Humolog to Novolog. I do not use a pen, but I am a pump user and the Humolog was hard on my skin, while the Novolog doesn't seem to cause as much redness, swelling and irritation. They are both fast acting regular insulins.
I would be interested in hearing more about the specific problems your are having with the quality and the impact on your diabetes. There are so many factors with diabetes that can affect how insulin works in your body and it is sometimes difficult to figure out whether the problem is the insulin or some other factor. Extreme heat or cold can impact the effectivess of insulin. The injection site can sometimes be a factor in absorption of the insulin and ultimate impact on blood sugar. Then, of course, there are also a million other things that go on in our bodies that seem to wreak havoc with our blood sugars without any clue as to why.

I wouldn't hurry to change your insulin without first exploring the issue with your diabetes doctor. Good luck and let me know how you resolve this.
Es

I use Novolog and have been using it for several years. My doctor actually switched me from Humolog to Novolog. I do not use a pen, but I am a pump user and the Humolog was hard on my skin, while the Novolog doesn't seem to cause as much redness, swelling and irritation. They are both fast acting regular insulins.
I would be interested in hearing more about the specific problems your are having with the quality and the impact on your diabetes. There are so many factors with diabetes that can affect how insulin works in your body and it is sometimes difficult to figure out whether the problem is the insulin or some other factor. Extreme heat or cold can impact the effectivess of insulin. The injection site can sometimes be a factor in absorption of the insulin and ultimate impact on blood sugar. Then, of course, there are also a million other things that go on in our bodies that seem to wreak havoc with our blood sugars without any clue as to why.

I wouldn't hurry to change your insulin without first exploring the issue with your diabetes doctor. Good luck and let me know how you resolve this.
Es

My problem with the pen is quality of the pen itself. I had two pens that were empty when I took them out of my case that I carry them in. One also refused to dispense insulin. Novo Nordisk does not answer emaill.

My problem with the pen is quality of the pen itself. I had two pens that were empty when I took them out of my case that I carry them in. One also refused to dispense insulin. Novo Nordisk does not answer emaill.

I am having issues with the Novolog pen too...the disc in the pen that acts as a lever pushing insulin out slips. I have had this in more than four pens now. Sometimes, the pen does not dispense at all, seems to function fine till I have to flush out 6-10 units of insulin at a time to make it work again. I have had severe highs with this - when I thought I injected myself with insulin and the pen did not function like it should.

I am having issues with the Novolog pen too...the disc in the pen that acts as a lever pushing insulin out slips. I have had this in more than four pens now. Sometimes, the pen does not dispense at all, seems to function fine till I have to flush out 6-10 units of insulin at a time to make it work again. I have had severe highs with this - when I thought I injected myself with insulin and the pen did not function like it should.

I'm been having exactly the same issue for a while, I've been trying to find out if it's common or not. I finally identified what was happening this weekend after i felt the plunger go in with no resistance. this time I looked at the insides and noticed that the screw was off center on the disk, and that the disk was loose. I then tested it by dialing in 1 unit at a time, and had to do 5 units before anything came out at all.

I'm been having exactly the same issue for a while, I've been trying to find out if it's common or not. I finally identified what was happening this weekend after i felt the plunger go in with no resistance. this time I looked at the insides and noticed that the screw was off center on the disk, and that the disk was loose. I then tested it by dialing in 1 unit at a time, and had to do 5 units before anything came out at all.

I just switched my child to the novolog jr pen. I have to waste a ton of insulin "test shoting". Sometimes I'll test shot, it will work then I'll test shot again just curious and it wont work! Very unpredictable delivery system. It almost never works giving 2 units or less. This is a problem since I have a small child and receives small doses reg.

I just switched my child to the novolog jr pen. I have to waste a ton of insulin "test shoting". Sometimes I'll test shot, it will work then I'll test shot again just curious and it wont work! Very unpredictable delivery system. It almost never works giving 2 units or less. This is a problem since I have a small child and receives small doses reg.

I to have had this issue lots of times. I was told that the problem was I didnt switch needles / remove them. To me it looks like a flaw in the design as I have never felt excess insulen dripping out. I have sent complaints and you should to. I have one sitting by me right now that has no needle and it moved. I think the problem is you cant carry them with you. I think movement is causing the issue.

I to have had this issue lots of times. I was told that the problem was I didnt switch needles / remove them. To me it looks like a flaw in the design as I have never felt excess insulen dripping out. I have sent complaints and you should to. I have one sitting by me right now that has no needle and it moved. I think the problem is you cant carry them with you. I think movement is causing the issue.

Recently I have had a pproblem with air bubbles in the pen itself. I follow all the instruction on how to start the pen and do get some air out. All is fine and then several days latter I have bubbles in the pen. Following the instructions on how to get air out of the pen does not working. I have called the company twice with no real answer. Can anyone help?

Recently I have had a pproblem with air bubbles in the pen itself. I follow all the instruction on how to start the pen and do get some air out. All is fine and then several days latter I have bubbles in the pen. Following the instructions on how to get air out of the pen does not working. I have called the company twice with no real answer. Can anyone help?

I know exactly what you are talking about. The pens virtually never work at 1 unit. In fact we up our child's carb count at every meal so that ha always would would require more than 1 unit. we have also had many spikes due to this malfunction. Have you had any luck with correcting this situation?

I know exactly what you are talking about. The pens virtually never work at 1 unit. In fact we up our child's carb count at every meal so that ha always would would require more than 1 unit. we have also had many spikes due to this malfunction. Have you had any luck with correcting this situation?

I have been using Novolog Pens for about a year now, and recently have had several problems with their quality. My pharmacist is telling me that most diabetics use Humalog (and Novolog use is rare). Has anyone else had problems or switched from Novolog to Humalog? Are there Novolog users out there?
Thanks....

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